Blundering ways of Indian selectors

[Sooda]

Rahane should be in that pool too do you think Chandan? Potential future no. 3 I was a bit surprised/dissapointed by Dhawan on the recent A tour, did not exactly set the scoreboards alight. I was hoping he'd really make a statement and push himself for a spot in an India squad.

[thevortex]

Single match? I thought he was given the entire series, ie, both the tests. And no, SR is not the criteria, but your approach is. Dravid's SR must be one of the lowest but he never looks timid, afraid or fearful of failure which can be misunderstood as afraid of extreme pace, which is what Badrinath looked. And it isn't just these two matches where his this approach was visible to the spectators. I saw him during the Irani trophy match against Delhi where Ishant destroyed him. Then against BP XI, against Lee, Johnson and othe Aussie bowlers where Rohit, Kohli and Yuvraj hit tons but Badri failed miserably. I don't think he can succeed against quality bowlers, and the selectors agree with me now, it seems.

If I remember right, he played just that one Test match. As a debutant. And no, I do not get where you make out all these character traits such as timid, fearful etc. If being made to look a shambles against extreme pace is all that a batsman needs to boot him out then many if not all of the very good batsmen are going to go out!! I am sorry but your analysis does not make any sense whatsoever. And you take 1 Test to make all those assessements? Bravo. But I am not sure that is on. How I wish RP Singh discovers his old magic! I'll be keeping a close eye on Ranji season this year too. If he shows any sign of coming back, he'll replace Munaf in the list without a hesitation. As for Unadkat, let him play at least one season first and then see how he goes. Wonder how we can choose/select a test bowler if he hasn't played even one season of FC cricket!

Vortex, Kartik is 34 years old and don't think he can last for more than 3 years as you saw how Kumble, Warne, Murali etc retired at the same age as their body wasn't co operating to have long spells in test match and then recover within 2-3 days for the next test match. Same will happen to Kartik too. But his exclusion remains a mystry. I didn't include him because selectors won't select him anyway.

Does not matter about First Class. You did not ask Sachin the same question. Am not saying everybody is Sachin. If Unadkat can go on A tours and shine then he needs to be in the equation. Period. Chandan - 3 years is a long time. 3 whole seasons! Maybe 15 to 20 Test matches if we are lucky. Who is to say that Karthik cannot win us matches in that period??? And dont forget Powar. About Karthik's exclusion and mystery - yes, but that is no big mystery. Karthik has never hesitated to criticize the board and our board has made sure he pays the price.

[saneindian]

We need to have a separate bowling pool for tests ad ODIs For ODIs: Seamers: Nehra, Irfan, Agarkar, Dinda, Vinay Kumar and Umesh Yadav with Zaheer coming in for important ODIs Spinners: Bhajji, Ashwin, Ojha, Jakati For tests: Seamers: Zaheer, Ishant, Sreesanth, RP Singh, Mithun Spinners: Bhajji, Kartik, Powar, Mishra

[Lord]

If I remember right, he played just that one Test match. As a debutant. And no, I do not get where you make out all these character traits such as timid, fearful etc. If being made to look a shambles against extreme pace is all that a batsman needs to boot him out then many if not all of the very good batsmen are going to go out!! I am sorry but your analysis does not make any sense whatsoever. And you take 1 Test to make all those assessements? Bravo. But I am not sure that is on. How I wish RP Singh discovers his old magic! I'll be keeping a close eye on Ranji season this year too. If he shows any sign of coming back, he'll replace Munaf in the list without a hesitation. As for Unadkat, let him play at least one season first and then see how he goes. Wonder how we can choose/select a test bowler if he hasn't played even one season of FC cricket! Does not matter about First Class. You did not ask Sachin the same question. Am not saying everybody is Sachin. If Unadkat can go on A tours and shine then he needs to be in the equation. Period. Chandan - 3 years is a long time. 3 whole seasons! Maybe 15 to 20 Test matches if we are lucky. Who is to say that Karthik cannot win us matches in that period??? And dont forget Powar. About Karthik's exclusion and mystery - yes, but that is no big mystery. Karthik has never hesitated to criticize the board and our board has made sure he pays the price.

Badri played in both tests,got a duck in second test,missing a straight delivery by Steyn Chandan is right,hes too timid as a batsman,n struggles quite woefully against quality pace

[Lord]

We need to have a separate bowling pool for tests ad ODIs For ODIs: Seamers: Nehra, Irfan, Agarkar, Dinda, Vinay Kumar and Umesh Yadav with Zaheer coming in for important ODIs Spinners: Bhajji, Ashwin, Ojha, Jakati For tests: Seamers: Zaheer, Ishant, Sreesanth, RP Singh, Mithun Spinners: Bhajji, Kartik, Powar, Mishra

i would defintely add PK to the ODI pacers n have Jadeja instead of Jakati for bowlers for tests,it seems right,but RP looks off form.i'd add Unadkat n see how he goes

[saneindian]

i would defintely add PK to the ODI pacers n have Jadeja instead of Jakati for bowlers for tests,it seems right,but RP looks off form.i'd add Unadkat n see how he goes

:two_thumbs_up: I wonder how I missed PK in that list. In fact I will add him to both ODI and test sides. He may turn out to be rubbish at test level, but nothing wrong in trying him out, especially with series in SA, WI, Eng and Australia coming up. And yes Jadeja for jakti will be a good change. Again wonder how I missed him.

[thevortex]

Badri played in both tests,got a duck in second test,missing a straight delivery by Steyn Chandan is right,hes too timid as a batsman,n struggles quite woefully against quality pace

Two innings is all it takes to assess a batsman's quality at the highest level then? And he is made out to struggle woefully against quality pace when he has scored a half century and a duck in those two innings? I dont know how you guys jump to such conclusions. If the duck is proof of his timidity, what is the 50 a proof of? And yes, boundaries to 3rd man are just as valuable as boundaries to mid on or mid off.

[Lord]

Two innings is all it takes to assess a batsman's quality at the highest level then? And he is made out to struggle woefully against quality pace when he has scored a half century and a duck in those two innings? I dont know how you guys jump to such conclusions. If the duck is proof of his timidity, what is the 50 a proof of? And yes, boundaries to 3rd man are just as valuable as boundaries to mid on or mid off.

u r just talking on the basis of numbers,did u even watch the innings or innings he played for BPXI v Aus OR the Irani trophy game.its clear that he has problem against pace n is just too nervous at the crease.he has a technical problem against incoming ball too. hes 29 now, n since we have number of young batsmen,there is no reason to select Bari n hope he improves,rather do it with a youngster whos got time to improve

[Chandan]

If I remember right, he played just that one Test match. As a debutant. And no, I do not get where you make out all these character traits such as timid, fearful etc. If being made to look a shambles against extreme pace is all that a batsman needs to boot him out then many if not all of the very good batsmen are going to go out!! I am sorry but your analysis does not make any sense whatsoever. And you take 1 Test to make all those assessements? Bravo. But I am not sure that is on.

First test : Badri scores 56 and 6 Second Test: Badri scores 1. Which Indian batsman looks in shambles either against extreme pace or quality spin? I don't think anyone apart from Yuvraj does and hence he is yet to cement his place in Indian XI. Any other international batsman who looks in shambles against pace? Any Australian, South African, or even English? Please enlighten me. And other batsmen were also playing with Badrinath. They went on to hit tons despite having less experience? They were not in shambles against those quality bowlers! Anyway, don't think Badri's fate would be reversed even if we keep discussing about his shorcomings or plus points till the cows come home. This is the scorecard of Irani tie And this is BP XI vs Aus XI So this is not just one test assessment but a number of FC matches and other international matches. If that doesn't make sense to you then I can't help you much.

Does not matter about First Class. You did not ask Sachin the same question. Am not saying everybody is Sachin. If Unadkat can go on A tours and shine then he needs to be in the equation. Period.

You are wrong once again Vortex. Sachin had a solid FC season in which he scored tons in all his Ranji, Duleep and Irani debut matches. After that only was he chosen. You are saying that Unadkat can go on A tours as if we have A tours every three months! This was a tour after a long long period and Unadkat excelled on a green track against WI A whose batsmen are not used to playing on such track. I'll like to wait here.

Chandan - 3 years is a long time. 3 whole seasons! Maybe 15 to 20 Test matches if we are lucky. Who is to say that Karthik cannot win us matches in that period??? And dont forget Powar. About Karthik's exclusion and mystery - yes, but that is no big mystery. Karthik has never hesitated to criticize the board and our board has made sure he pays the price.

So will Karkik ever get selected then? Why did he criticise the board in the first place? Because selection is done on zonal quotas and Railway (Kartik's team) sadly doesn't come under any such quota. What is the point of keeping a player in the list who'll never be selected?

[thevortex]

Chandan - if you watched cricket over the years, then I am sure you would understand that 2 Tests (3 innings) are in no way enough to judge the quality of a batsman. I am not going to say anything more. People thinking Badri's batting style is timid may need to go watch re-runs of Akash Chopra's batting. It is not about impression and flourish. It is about effectiveness.

[Lord]

Chandan - if you watched cricket over the years, then I am sure you would understand that 2 Tests (3 innings) are in no way enough to judge the quality of a batsman. I am not going to say anything more. People thinking Badri's batting style is timid may need to go watch re-runs of Akash Chopra's batting. It is not about impression and flourish. It is about effectiveness.

Akash Chopra was effective?

[Chandan]

So how effective was Akash Chopra and how long did he last? Secondly I'm telling you for the nth time that only 3 innings are not the sample. I've given you few other scores too. If you refuse to click on them, its not my fault.

[thevortex]

Akash Chopra was effective in his own way, guys. He may not have been a world beater. But he was no dead beat either. But do not miss the point. A defensive opener is not the end of the world. Nor is a defensive middle order batsman. And Chandan - do not assume that I did not click on those links. Let me ask you this question - do those links prove to you beyond doubt that Badri cannot play at the highest level? If yes, please explain that half century to me! I am curious.... 3 innings with one half century cannot be the basis on which to conclude that he is unfit to play at the highest level.

[thevortex]

As for how long Akash Chopra lasted - let that not be a reflection of his utility. Can we use McGill's number of Tests played to gauge his potential or ability? Gautam Gambhir was better and he usurped the spot. That is all.

[Chandan]

Akash Chopra was effective in his own way, guys. He may not have been a world beater. But he was no dead beat either. But do not miss the point. A defensive opener is not the end of the world. Nor is a defensive middle order batsman. And Chandan - do not assume that I did not click on those links. Let me ask you this question - do those links prove to you beyond doubt that Badri cannot play at the highest level? If yes, please explain that half century to me! I am curious.... 3 innings with one half century cannot be the basis on which to conclude that he is unfit to play at the highest level.

Yes. Those three innings in fact vindicated my prediction on Badri which I had made in 2007. I had a loooong discussion with i3j3 blokes who were vehemently supporting Badrinath then, and I told them that he won't move beyond 5 tests. I generally watch all the FC matches that are shown in India and my assumption was based on what I saw then and the year after and two years after that. It is quite clear that we have batsmen who are more talented than Badrinath and Badri himself is no Rahul Dravis, however defensive he might be.

[Lord]

Akash Chopra was effective in his own way, guys. He may not have been a world beater. But he was no dead beat either. But do not miss the point. A defensive opener is not the end of the world. Nor is a defensive middle order batsman. And Chandan - do not assume that I did not click on those links. Let me ask you this question - do those links prove to you beyond doubt that Badri cannot play at the highest level? If yes, please explain that half century to me! I am curious.... 3 innings with one half century cannot be the basis on which to conclude that he is unfit to play at the highest level.

defensive MO batsman is good,if he has got great technique.(Badri doesnt) n can step on the gas on the right moment.Badri cant. i asked u earlier,Badri's 29.n since we have a lot of younger batsmen who have potential n have lot more cricket ahead of them,why exactly should the selectors go to Badri?

[Chandan]

We need to have a FC Emerging Players' tournament as well, preferably either in Australia (main venues please, Allan Border Ground is as slow and low as SSC) or SA because England doesn't even take part and there is no point in India hosting these important tournaments. What do you all say?

[thevortex]

Yes. Those three innings in fact vindicated my prediction on Badri which I had made in 2007. I had a loooong discussion with i3j3 blokes who were vehemently supporting Badrinath then, and I told them that he won't move beyond 5 tests. I generally watch all the FC matches that are shown in India and my assumption was based on what I saw then and the year after and two years after that. It is quite clear that we have batsmen who are more talented than Badrinath and Badri himself is no Rahul Dravis, however defensive he might be.

Chandan - it is good that you watch all the First Class matches shown in India. That is laudable. I must admit that I have not done that. However, I have seen Badri up close when batting in various situations and can perfectly attest to this based on whatever little understanding I have on the game: He is a solid middle order batsman who has in the last 3 seasons also developed a lot of attacking strokes. Whether or not he plays more Test cricket for the country need not directly correspond to his talent. As you may well understand.

[thevortex]

defensive MO batsman is good,if he has got great technique.(Badri doesnt) n can step on the gas on the right moment.Badri cant. i asked u earlier,Badri's 29.n since we have a lot of younger batsmen who have potential n have lot more cricket ahead of them,why exactly should the selectors go to Badri?

Actually he does have a very good technique, Lord. Lets agree to disagree on this. About acceleration and strokes, I am sure you have gotten to see him at T20 level. He was once a strokeless batsman who liked to play along the ground at all times. That is no longer true. About his age - I would actually consider that a big advantage. When Dravid, Tendulkar and Laxman retire, at about the same time possibly, it is going to be critical for us to have a balanced mix of experience and youth. And that is where Badri could come in. Pujara is a good young batsman. But we dont want a middle order full of youth - do we? Which is precisely why we must try and ascertain whether Badri has it in him to come in and contribute. I dont think we have tested him well enough now. As an example - look at Michael Hussey. I am NOT saying that Badri is India's Michael Hussey. Just giving an example as to exactly how advantageous it could be to have a slightly senior middle order batsman coming in when established batsmen move out of the game.

[saneindian]

Sehwag has a wish of batting in the middle order in the future. How will that have an impact on who comes and the susequent batting positions? Assuming Sehwag does move down the order (perhaps in 2 years time when all the legends are gone), the batting line up could look like this Gambhir Vijay/Dhawan/Rahane/Mukund Pujara Sehwag Rohit/Yuvraj/Kohli Raina Dhoni Can we please start sending guys like Rahane, Pujara, Dhawan, Kohli and Rohit on India A tours to Australia and South Africa please ( minimum 4 3-4 day matches on the tour with only 2-3 50 over matches). There has to be some planning. Give them a feel of high quality international cricket in alien conditions and help them improve their technique and temprament.